Prayer. Discuss a special relationship and what makes it special

Transcription

1 Prayer Discuss a special relationship and what makes it special Principles that make good relationships apply to prayer. The main difference between having a relationship with a friend and God is that: God is perfect God loves you unconditionally God is absolutely trustworthy God will forgive you for anything and everything you have or will do wrong Prayer is as old as the human race and as universal as religion, And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord, Genesis 4:26. Prayer is an acknowledgement by human beings of a superior/higher being. What prayer is not: 1. Putting together a shopping list for God (like you would for Santa Claus) 2. An emergency service (999/112) 3. Something that senior folks do 4. Religious duty (vain repetitions; brings guilt when you forget) 5. An act only carried out by clergy What is prayer? Prayer is like talking to a friend you trust Prayer is talking to God about all the things that are important to you, and being assured that He is listening Prayer is talking to God your Father in heaven and getting to know Him Definition of Prayer Divine communion with our heavenly Father

2 Why Pray? a. Because Jesus said, Men always ought to pray (Luke 18:1). Prayer is imperative. We are commanded to pray (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 b. Because prayer is the only way to get things from God You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:2b c. Because there is joy in prayer Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24 d. Because prayer will save you out of your troubles This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34:6 e. Because prayer can unlock the treasure chest of God s wisdom If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives liberally to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 f. Because prayer is a channel of power Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 g. Because it can be a sin not to pray Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. 1 Samuel 12:23a i. Because sinners can be saved when they pray in faith Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13 j. Because Jesus, while here in the flesh, prayed often to His Father. If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to pray often, then we should pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

3 3. How To Pray The Model Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) Our Father - We are to pray to our Father in heaven. God our Father is all-wise, all-loving, and all-powerful. The word used here for Father is Abba, it is a term of respect and intimacy. We are also instructed to pray in the Name of Jesus And In that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you. John 16:23 (also see John 14:13-14; 15:16; Ephesians 5:20) In Heaven - The One who rules over all. We are privileged to commune with God our Father the creator of all things. Your Name Be Kept Holy - May the world come to see and appreciate God s greatness and may we first of all seek to honour Him ourselves. Your Kingdom Come - May your Kingdom take root in us. May we learn to follow, trust, and obey God. We want Him to become the most important influence in our lives. We want honouring and serving Him to be the top priority in our lives. Your Will Be Done On Earth As It Is in Heaven Set the world right and help us submit to You and follow You as we should. Give Us Today The Food We Need May our needs be met. Everything necessary for the preservation of this life, including food, a healthy body, home, good relationships, etc. Forgive Us Our Debts - This is about how we deal with other people. If we understand what we have been forgiven by God and truly appreciate the magnitude of God s grace, then we will be willing to extend forgiveness for the LESSER offenses committed against us. Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil - This part of the prayer acknowledges our inherent weakness. It is like saying, Lord, you know the way I am; how prone I am to wander. Guard me from wandering. Help me to remain close to You. Help me to see problems before they become overwhelming. In other words, Keep us safe from ourselves and protect us. Yours Is The Kingdom God is in charge forever! Write down 2 actions you can take to improve your relationship with God

4 Does Prayer Change Things? They say that prayer changes things, but does it REALLY change anything? Oh yes! It really does! Does prayer change your present situation or sudden circumstances? No, not always, but it does change the way you look at those events. Does prayer change your financial future? No, not always, but it does change who you look to for meeting your daily needs. Does prayer change shattered hearts or broken bodies? No, not always, but it will change your source of strength and comfort. Does prayer change your wants and desires? No, not always, but it will change your wants into what God desires! Does prayer change how you view the world? No, not always, but it will change whose eyes you see the world through. Does prayer change your regrets from the past? No, not always, but it will change your hopes for the future! Does prayer change the people around you? No, not always, but it will change you~ the problem isn t always in others. Does prayer change your life in ways you can t explain? Oh, yes, always! And it will change you from the inside out! So does prayer REALLY change ANYTHING? Yes! It REALLY does change EVERYTHING!

5 A Prayer for the Miracle of Salvation for a Loved One Father we come into your presence with our hearts filled with gratitude and praise. We commit into your precious arms. Transform life and create a new heart in. Devil, in the name of Jesus we command you to loose your hold upon life. Father, we thank you for the joy and peace that you have brought in life. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen! We agree that the eyes of be opened, to turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, in order to receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Jesus Christ. [Based on Acts 26:18]